ERTICO News: Beijing Congress boosts ITS knowledge and cooperation

Date: 19 October 2007

9-13 October 2007 event attracts nearly 4,000 participants.

The global ITS community descended on Beijing, China, 9-13 October 2007 for the 14th World Congress and Exhibition on ITS.  Around 4,000 Congress participants and exhibitors discussed and displayed the world’s most innovative and state-of-the-art in Intelligent Transport Systems and Services.

Under the theme “ITS for a Better Life”, the event was co-hosted by the Chinese Ministries of Science and Technology, Communications, Public Security, Construction and the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality. 200 sessions delved into strategic, technical, and organisational aspects of ITS, while 163 exhibiting companies displayed their products and services to over 40,000 exhibition entrants - many from the general public.

Representatives from nearly 50 ERTICO – ITS Europe Partners and several members of the Network of National ITS Associations participated in the event alongside ERTICO experts, who were on hand to speak about their project activities.

ITS all-stars
The event kicked off with an Opening Ceremony at which Mr Lin Ji, Senior Vice Mayor of the People’s Government of the Beijing Municipality and Mr Gang Wan, Minister, Ministry of Science and Technology Congress were just two of the high-level speakers. Representing Europe, Mrs Rosalie Zobel, Director, European Commission DG INFSO, Mr Ivan Hodac, Secretary General of the European Car Manufacturers Associations ACEA and ERTICO Chairman Mrs Monica Sundström gave their remarks. In her speech, Mrs Sundström noted that China’s needs and innovation can be the spark that pushes the entire ITS community. She also highlighted some of the key ERTICO activities and accomplishments in its cooperation with China.

Three plenary sessions - Ministers, Mayors and Industry – also gave participants the opportunity to learn from dignitaries, including Ms Åsa Torstensson, Minister for Communications, Swedish Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communications and Ms Liv Signe Navarsete, Norwegian Minister of Transport & Communications.

ERTICO CEO Arnold van Zyl also participated in several sessions, including the  closing ceremony, at which he joined his counterparts from ITS America, ITS Japan and ITS China to share thoughts on the ITS Vision 2020. Mrs Sundström helped to “pass the globe” to ITS America for next year’s ITS World Congress set to take place in New York in November.

For further information on the ITS Congresses, please contact ITS Congress Association Manager Valérie Mindlin

Nearly 4,000 people attended	ERTICO - ITS Europe stand	ERTICO Chairman Monica Sundström at the ribbon cutting ceremony
Beijing Exhibiton Center - location of the 14th World Congress and Exhibition on ITS